Gaon Hart has been appointed as Chair of the Police Advisory
Board for England and Wales for a 3-year term.
Gaon Hart is a distinguished legal expert and compliance
strategist, currently serving as Chair of the NHS Counter Fraud
Authority, where he oversees the prevention, protection and
investigation of the £1.3 billion annual fraud risk facing the UK
health sector.
He is also Managing Director of Legal Advisory Worldwide, a
boutique consultancy specialising in global economic crime
prevention in the private and public sectors and also works
closely with police on misconduct hearings.
Born and raised in London to South African parents, who fled
apartheid arrest and persecution, Gaon's early life was shaped by
values of justice, equity, and resilience. His parents'
courageous activism profoundly influenced his lifelong commitment
to ethical leadership, diversity, and anti-discrimination.
Gaon said:
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Home
Secretary for placing her confidence in me. This is a timely and
important moment to serve as the interface between the
government's bold agenda to restore confidence in policing and
make our streets safer, and the Police Service entrusted with
delivering on those priorities.
Having worked alongside police officers for many years –
including in my former role as the UK Lead Prosecutor for Public
Corruption – I have a deep appreciation for the critical and
often under-recognised role they play in protecting the public.
The Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PABEW) offers a
valuable forum for collaborative thinking, enabling the
development of innovative ideas and the presentation of practical
options to support the Home Office's objectives. I am passionate
about the opportunities this role presents and committed to
contributing meaningfully to its success.
The role of the PABEW is to advise the Home Secretary about
matters such as recruitment, diversity and collaboration between
forces in England and Wales.
The PABEW was established as a non-departmental public body under
section 46 of the Police Act 1964, now section 63 of the Police
Act 1996. The Chair of the Board oversees several statutory
functions including:
- advising the Home Secretary on general questions affecting
the police in England and Wales
- considering draft regulations on matters other than hours of
duty, leave, pay and allowance such as the issue, use and return
of police clothing, personal equipment and accoutrements
- considering draft regulations related to pensions under
section 1 of the Police Pensions Act 1976
- establishing the Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) for the Police
Pension Schemes, in accordance with s7 of the Public Service
Pensions Act 2013
It may also consider any matter relating to conditions of service
and any other matter affecting the police which has been referred
to it by the Secretary of State.
The Home Secretary has appointed Gaon as Chair of the PABEW
following an open recruitment competition in line with the
Governance Code on Public Appointments. He has been appointed for
a 3-year term, and will take up his role over the summer.
